Page 219 of Off the Pitch

“Well, what would I do without my conscience?” I pulled her into a hug, pressing another kiss to the top of her head. “I have to admit it’s been fun though, actually doing some work for once.”

“Those are words I never expected to come out of your mouth,” Lara said into my chest.

“Me neither. I feel like a new man.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Probably for the best.” Lara snorted. “Oh, and you’ll have to let me know when you’re finished with your exams and when you have some free time this summer. I’ll take you to Costa Rica to see the first of the turtle conservation centres. The beach there is beautiful, and I think you’ll love it.”

“Seriously?”

“Of course. We can have a mini-adventure together.” We stood together for a moment longer before Lara pulled away, wiping her eyes.

“Ugh, you’re such an asshole. Now I have to try and revise biology like this.”

“I’m sorry. I probably should have waited. I’ve always been told my timing is terrible.”

“You’re fine.”

“Good. Oh, and after your exams finish, we’ll set up the launch party in London. We’ll do a launch and fundraiser at the same time. I’m sure we can get lots of people involved. Your dad can bring the team. We can definitely squeeze some money out of them.”

“Probably,” she said. “Just make it cute, and at least half of them will give in on the spot.”

“Perfect! Now all I need to do is ask Sofia what she wants to save. I hope it’s something that likes warm climates too. Costa Rica is infinitely preferable to Antarctica.” Lara handed me my phone back, and I cast my eye over the screen quickly to check for messages before sliding it back into my pocket. Jordan was spending time with Liam this afternoon, having some sort of best friend date where they spent copious amounts of time playing laser tag and arcade games together. I was glad he and Liam had made up, although when he’d told me what had happened, I’d nearly choked on the glass of wine I’d been drinking.

Liam and Christian were certainlyinterestingfriends. If I’d known them better, I’d have loved to talk to them to discoverexactlywhat they were thinking.

“Right. I’m going to find your dad before I lose my nerve,” I said. “If you hear screaming, please call the police.”

“Nah, I’ll just take my turtle fund and help Dad bury you in the garden. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you still look pretty in your unmarked grave.”

“You’re so charming!” Lara shrugged and disappeared up the stairs while I wove my way through the house towards Lucas’s office. The door was ajar, but I still knocked before poking my head in.

“Knock, knock.” Lucas looked up from the pile of paperwork in front of him in surprise, a smile spreading across his face.

“Félix! I didn’t know you were here.”

“It was a surprise drop in,” I said. Lucas waved me in, rolling his chair back from his desk and quickly clearing some books from a nearby armchair so I could sit down. They were all books on statistics and football tactics and history, and I chuckled internally because my brother never stopped working.

“Is something wrong?”

“Why does something have to be wrong? Can’t I come and see my own brother?”

Lucas gave me a derisive look. “There’s a first time for everything I suppose.”

“Ouch. That hurts.”

“I’m just being honest,” Lucas said, giving me a sardonic smile. “I thought you liked honesty?”

“Not usually.” Silence hung between us for a moment. I knew I was going to have to be the first one to speak, but for some reason, I was struggling to find the right words. “I want to buy a house,” I said, suddenly. Lucas stared at me. “Here. Well, in London I mean. Probably not in this neighbourhood though. We’d kill each other if we lived too close together. Anyway, you’ve lived here for a while, and I wondered if you knew of anywhere I should look?”

“Oh? What’s brought this on?”

“Can’t I want to buy a house?”

“Of course, but I meant why London? I thought you weren’t interested in settling down. And why are you asking me, surely there are people better qualified to find you a house?” I sighed. I should have known Lucas would immediately start asking questions I wasn’t particularly keen on answering.

“Well, I mean, I’m going to be spending more time here,” I said, casually. “My latest project is potentially going to be headquartered here, and it seems silly to waste money on hotels.” I dug in my pocket for another business card, my heart swelling as Lucas stared at it. “And you’ve lived in London for a while now. Your whole life is here, and I know you’ve had a lot of players who’ve moved here for the first time. I’m starting to think I don’t want to live in the city centre. I mean, this area seems very nice, but I wouldn’t know where to start.”

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